Fargo Visit 2010

Yay - we just returned home from spending a wonderful week with our family in Fargo.

Jacob did tremendously well on all our flights and I think we taught him how to deal with the pressure changes. I kept asking him to show me a reeealy biiig yawn and he would comply happily. Even during his naps I could see his mouth opening and closing sometimes like he was trying to change the pressure in his ears.

He also loved going on the people movers (or as daddy calls them, "the flat escalators") at the Minneapolis airport. He would hesitate only at the beginning at then ruuuuun as fast as he could as he was being moved along and then jump off at the end. It was so fun going through the airport with him. Thankfully that airport also has a play area for kids as we had a 2 hour layover on the way out which would have proved to be a challenge just to keep him occupied. The most popular attraction at this play area proved to be the coin vortex - all of us parents happily chipped in so the kids could send lots of coins around and around, all at once, over and over again. Who'd a thunk it?

My sister's kids are growing like beautiful weeds and Jacob thoroughly enjoyed all the craziness that 5 kids in a house can bring.

Since we were there over the Labor Day weekend we had the pleasure of driving about 30 minutes away to Rollag, MN for the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion - we used to go there when we were kids and loved the smells and the constant chug-chug-chug of the big machine beasts. It's really quite a show that hasn't changed much - except that they've added more attractions - a carousel, more food buildings, the Buttzville bathrooms - which tends to draw a much larger crowd and longer lines for everything.

It was quite awesome to share the experience with our kids and see their faces light up as we watched the steam engine pull into the "station" so we could go for a ride around the event. We all enjoyed the ice cream - I had a traditional mid-western caramel roll!!! - and the lunch made by the church ladies.

We spent some time on Friday over at the PlayLand at West Acres with just the boys while the girls were at school.

Most of the rest of our visit took place at my sister's house, with her decked out back yard. The kids learned to share - especially Jacob and Shae - and us parents did a lot of swinging, talking, and being silly with the kids.

We did attempt a dinner out. We wanted to go to The Great Wall for Chinese but that was closed Sunday night so we went a little further down the strip mall to the pizza place and took over a corner of the restaurant. Jacob sucked down his milk and water and all the kids inhaled the french fries while we waited for the pies. I don't think we left a slice behind and everyone left happy. Although I have to admit it was our Jacob who got us out of the booth and into our cars - he was done and wanted to leave as soon as possible. No sitting around the dinner table chatting for that kid.

Every morning while we were there little Shae would wake up and instantly want to search out Jacob. They obviously became great buddies and Shae almost busted out the tear factory when he learned on Wednesday morning that we were leaving shortly after breakfast. So sad!

For his part Jacob was so ready to go home that he was hanging on the doorknob with his little bag slung over his arm as soon as breakfast was over. However, as soon as we pulled up to our house he burst into tears - apparently he missed Shae, Rowan and the girls. He mentioned again last night that he missed everyone and listed them by name - even GranMary and the cats. Our house does seem extremely quiet compared to the (mostly) happy chaos of my sister's place.

Too Long Since Last Post - Too Much Growing Going On!

I know it's been way too long since my last post but our little one has really been going through a lot of changes the last few months.

First, Jacob started sleeping on a cot at daycare so I had the brilliant idea that he now must sleep in a toddler bed here at home. The result: we hear happy feet running around his room when he's supposed to be napping or going to bed; we find him passed out in the rocking chair or the changing pad that's now on the floor (the table was too easy to climb without supervision); and we think he's asleep until we hear a loud crash following by a roar of tears - he's fallen off the bed backwards, slipped onto the radiator, and has slammed a finger in a drawer.

Then Jacob became interested in going potty so I had the brilliant idea that he must want to be rid of the diapers. Well, turns out I was right on that front. However, I don't think I really need to tell you that this transition has not gone perfectly. At home, and even when running errands, he's gotten really good about it, even if we try to keep him in just underwear for around the house as we go through fewer pairs of shorts that way (2 or 3 pair in a weekend instead of 12).
We've also taken to trying anything to wear him out on weekends - like going to the park a lot, running through fountains, or playing in the wading pool at home. It makes naptimes and bedtimes easier, but it also wears us out.

Jacob got to have some fun at the prairie dog area at the National Zoo - there's a neat area where kids can pretend to be prairie dogs.
On top of all that our garden has gone a bit out of control. The lettuce and spinach were the first to really take off but we're now enjoying sugar snap peas and summer squash and waiting for all the tomatoes to ripen. Yes - I did let the weeds get a little out of control but for several weeks there it was raining every other day and those tended to be the days when I had a few spare minutes where I could have done some weeding.

Weekend at the Beach

Our little trio went to Ocean City last weekend for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers 50th Annual Convention (it is a lot more fun that it sounds, trust).

Our handbell choir's director was one of the honored directors and directed about 550 of us ringers on two songs including one that was written just for her. Anne did an amazing job!Jacob and Steve both enjoyed our concert on Saturday afternoon (after rehearsals Friday night and Saturday plus classes on Saturday). Jacob was thoroughly engaged in the music and stayed put on Daddy's lap for all 6 pieces. After the bronze-level piece (an advanced level peice that was rather exciting and got really fast at the end) Jacob turned to Steve and requested, "Again".

While I was ringing away, Jacob and Steve had a terrific time trying to find things to do besides play on the beach as the weather was typical March beach weather. There was lots of rain, wind, and fog. Sunday morning was so foggy that even though we had an oceanfront room we woke up to the sound of the beach...but no view. Just a wall of fog. Thankfully we had purchased a pair of puddle-jumper boots for Jacob on the day we headed to OC. His pants still got wet, but at least his one pair of tennis shoes that fit were still dry.

Here's Jacob on a dune-crossing.Did I mention the wind...and the fog?Jacob was a little scared of the ocean, but totally let loose on a puddle on our way back to the hotel.Jacob grabbed an apple to eat while Steve and I packed up to leave - it was a big apple.

Bliz2010 Part II Pics

Ok - just to make it clear...Yes, Fargo has gotten way more snow than we have in one winter season (I believe 90" is the current record) but they usually get it slowly. Over a period of months. Not all in one week.

Like every other homeowner in the DC region - we have cabin fever, back aches, arm aches (after all, it takes a lot more arm strength to shovel snow above your head), and we're numb to all things white. Enjoy the photos anyway!

Bliz2010 Part I Pics

Videos

Marsha and Al came over Friday so we could all be snowed in together! We had a great time. More photos to be posted later. Here are 2 videos.

Haircut!

I almost totally forgot to mention tha tJacob got his first haircut! He was starting to have trouble with a small bit right in the center of his forehead always falling into one eye or another and another small bit right at the back of his head that kept getting caught in bib snaps.

Mommy was brave and brought the scissors out while Daddy distracted Jacob during a mealtime.

Here are the first photos after the haircut.

I did my best to 1)avoid accidentally cutting a squirming boy and 2) to keep the bangs a bit wispy since that's how his hair has always been.

Bunches o'Stuff

Jacob is really growing up quickly in so many ways. He's starting to combine words, is doing so well with a spoon, is getting better with a fork, can drink out of a regular glass, and wants to be helpful, mostly, when we ask him to do things. These transformations are just amazing!

One recent evening Jacob started saying "Hi Daddy" over and over and over. At the same time he was running around the room only to throw himself on the floor over and over again. I think I captured on video one of the last times he did it that night.


Then, finally, after doing all these things for what seemed like an hour (it may have only been a half hour) he said the 2 words that I had been waiting to hear all day...(listen for it at about 19 seconds)

My heart melted!

He's doing lots of cute things late, like climbing into and out of his toy bins.He loves getting horsey rides from either one of us, which usually end with him purposefully falling off somehow.He looks adorable in the sweater GrandMary knit for him for Christmas.He still loves to flirt with girls. Becky came over the other day and Jacob cozied right up to her for a book.Best of all he obviously loves his Mommy and Daddy.
I just wish he would willingly let me put him to bed once in a while. *sigh*